Cider apple

A cultivar or apple variety grown for fermenting into cider. Cider apples are selected for qualities such as tannin, acidity, sugar, and aroma.

Tannin: A class of plant compounds that bind proteins and can produce bitterness and a drying sensation. Tannins give some cider apples the bitterness and astringency associated with traditional cider.
Hard cider: An alcoholic beverage produced by fermenting apple juice. Cider apples are grown primarily to supply juice for this fermented drink.
Kingston Black: A traditional English cider apple variety known for juice with substantial tannin and acidity. It is often used alone because its juice can make a balanced cider.
West Country cider: A traditional cider-making region and style associated with southwest England. Many well-known English cider apple varieties developed in this regional tradition.
Dessert apple: An apple variety selected mainly for eating fresh, with qualities such as sweetness, texture, and appearance. Cider apples prioritize juice and fermentation traits rather than fresh-eating qualities.
Malic acid: An organic acid that contributes tartness to many fruits, including apples. Its concentration helps determine the sharpness of cider apple juice.
Cider blending: The practice of combining juices or finished ciders to balance flavor, acidity, tannin, and other traits. Blending lets makers balance the strengths and shortcomings of different cider apples.
Dabinett: A traditional English cider apple variety classified as bittersweet for its tannin-rich juice. Its bittersweet character illustrates the role of tannin-rich apples in cider.
Cider apple classification: A system grouping cider apples by their relative acidity and tannin content. The familiar categories arose to describe how varieties behave in traditional cider making.
Cooking apple: An apple variety selected for culinary use, often retaining tartness and structure when cooked. Cooking apples may supply acidity, but their main selection purpose differs from cider apples.

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HerefordshireBroader topic: Specialist varieties underpin the county’s cider production.